Big thanks goes out to the owners of Perfect 10 Gymnastics ownes Heather and Melissa Yeck for donating their facility and staff for a summer Pop up Event that will not be soon forgotten. Photo Credit Felicia Mycyk/ Ambridge Connection

Van Jones, host of The Van Jones Show and a CNN political commentator, visited Ambridge at Fred's Divot on Monday to talk with a panel of Beaver County residents about the current state of politics in America and Western Pennsylvania.

wThanks to a donation made by Terry and Al Mylan, about 60 area youth got to spend an afternoon at Economy Pool. Before the bus departed to head to the pool Superintendent Dr. Jo Welter stopped over to greet the kids on their summer break. She asked a few questions and awarded the winner a gift card.

POLICE VISITThe youth also had two more visitors Sergeant Glen Slovich and Lieutenant Brian Jameson. Lieutenant Jameson talked with the kids on the bus about the summer and the upcoming police and fire summer pop up which includes a SWAT bearcat, he also brought a basketball. Sergert Solvich challenged kids to a game. Three teens stepped up to represent the youth. All of the kids said that the officers would lose but Solvich single-handedly beat the three kids.

The entire bus received Lollipops from Broadhill Travel. Five gift cards purchased and donated by Ambridge Teacher, Stacey Brook, and was given to the kids who displayed good behavior on the bus and at the pool.

Our next pop up event will take place on June 21 at Perfect 10 in Harmony Township.Want to get involved and stay connected? Text ' @mycyk ' to the number 81010

About the pop up events:Organized and Founded by Felicia Mycyk, the pop up events are to connect the area youth with the leaders in the community. The events are set in the middle of the afternoon for the kids to get involved with each other outside of electronics and within the community. Volunteers are asked to donate time, talent, or gifts to the weekly summer programs. The program entering its third year has had over 200 youth participate and over 40 community leaders and volunteers donate their energy to the program. As of 2018, the program ran and lead by Felicia Mycyk, is a project under the Ambridge Rotary Club and is funded by the generous community

Ambridge Area Middle School will have a familiar face at the helm when doors are opened for the2018-2019 School Year.Ambridge Area School Board of Directors approved the transfer of Mr. Thomas McKelvey to theposition of Middle School Principal at the June 13 meeting. He currently serves in the position ofState Street Elementary Principal. He will begin his new role as Middle School Principal on July1.Mr. McKelvey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, Special Educationand Middle School Level Science from Slippery Rock University, where he graduated SummaCum Laude. He received his Master of Science in Education, K-12 Principal Certification fromCalifornia University and most recently has been accepted into the Doctoral Program at PointPark University.He began his professional career in the Beaver Area School District as a special education andgeneral educator, and also served as a Behavior Consultant for the Watson Institute. He also hasserved as an Assistant Principal at Woodland Hills Academy (K-8). Mr. McKelvey is certified inCrisis Prevention Intervention.His awards and honors include but are not limited to: Discovery Educator’s Network StarEducator, PTA Extra Care for Kids Award Recipient, Distinguished Service and ScholasticExcellence Award, Community Service Recognition Award and Golden Key International HonorSociety.“We are pleased to have Mr. McKelvey continue to serve the Ambridge Area School District,”said Dr. Jo Welter, Superintendent. “He is a caring and committed educator. He is a person ofgreat integrity. He will serve the students, teachers and community of our new middle schoolwith enthusiasm and dedication.”Mrs. Jo Ann Hoover, current principal at Highland Elementary School, was approved for a transferto fill the position being vacated by Mr. McKelvey at State Street Elementary. Her starting date isyet to be determined.Mrs. Hoover is a graduate of Slippery Rock University, with Bachelor degrees in Elementary andSpecial Education. She also holds a Master of Special Education degree from DuquesneUniversity and Principal Certification from Slippery Rock University. She previously served in thePittsburgh Public School System for 24 years. She is a certified trainer for Therapeutic CrisisIntervention.During her tenure at Highland Elementary, she implemented a schoolwide positive behaviorsupport program, which reduced the number of discipline referrals and suspensions. “She willprovide stability and continuity for State Street as Mr. McKelvey transitions to the Middle School,”said Dr. Welter. “We are very fortunate to have her expertise.”The Board also approved the hiring of Dr. Laura Burns to fill the position being vacated by Mrs.Hoover at Highland Elementary School. Her starting date is yet to be determined.Dr. Burns earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Master of Arts degree in Teachingfrom the University of Pittsburgh. She received a Master of Public Management with aconcentration in Educational Leadership from Carnegie Mellon University. Most recently, shereceived her Doctor of Education and Superintendent Letter of Eligibility from the University ofPittsburgh. She previously served as a Social Studies teacher in the Baldwin Whitehall SchoolDistrict and as an Assistant Principal at both the Carlynton Junior-Senior High School and thePine-Richland High School.Dr. Burns’ professional honors include: memberships on the Pennsylvania State Social StudiesCurriculum Committee and the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh Study Tour. Also, Dr. Burnswas a recipient of the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia Grant.“Dr. Burns is committed to improving teaching and learning in the Ambridge Area School District,”said Dr. Welter. “We are pleased to have her as a part of our team.”

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Summer free meal program will be in the Ambridge Area again this summer. All children are eligible for free meals and snacks this summer regardless of household income. Meals are free for any children 18 and under and no paperwork or registration is required. Photo by Felicia Mycyk/Ambridge Connection

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE JUNE 12TH AMBRIDGE COUNCIL MEETING:
Awarded contract to Sports & Recreation Associates in the amount of $187,745 to reconstruct the basketball courts at Walter Panek Park and to install new playground equipment, ADA accessibility upgrades and a new picnic pavilion at 8th Street Park. Note: $174,000 of this project is covered by park grants, leaving a balance due to the Borough in the amount of $13,745.Awarded contract to Stefanik's Next Generation Contracting in the amount of $127,698.08 to make repairs to the Storm-water Outfalls / Landslide under the Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge.Presented an Ordinance that will place into affect 2 hour free parking on Merchant Street in areas where there was parking meters.Approved lot consolidation of Verizon property at the corner of 9th and Merchant St.Awarded contract to Markosky Engineering Group to conduct a historic building survey and make upgrades to the Borough's Historic Preservation Ordinance. Project is partially funded by a grant from the PHMC and Ambridge Historic District Economic Development Corporation.Hired Jeremiah Curtis and Nathan Swierkosz as probationary part-time police officers, and appointed David Drewnowski as a Fire Police Officer.